The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-22
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
Boston Policemen Thwart Plan That Contem.
plated Dastardly aud Murderous Attack.

BOSTON, Feb. 21.-The most startling feature
of the South Boston strike was unearthed yes.
terday. The Post has discovered what appears
to have been a concerted plan to destroy both
life and property should horse cars of this line
run after dark. For several days the patrons
of tie South Boston road have murmured loudly
because of the supposed timidity Of the officials
of the company or the police authorities which
forced them to get home the best way they could
after o'clock at night. All cars have been
withdrawn about that hour, whatever the condi-
tion Of the weather or the walking. The reason
is now plain, and the facts are vouched for by
the police officials of the city of Boston. Early
last week letter was received at police head.
quarters from resident of South Cove. This
letter stated that suspicious and incomprehensi
BILE movements had been noticed in tall build
ing in KneeIand street Mon had been seen
carrying what appeared to be cobble stones and
bricks to the upper portion of this building with
out any apparent purpose. This informa-
ton was not very definite. but was at once
acted upon. Orders were issued for thorough
inspection OF every building the street that
was open to suspicion. On Wednesday the
agents of the police found something. On the
corner of Kneeland and Federal streets stands a
four-story brick residence block containing
hundreds Of inhabitants of the very lowest
classes. Narrow stairs run from both streets to
the roof, furnishing opportunities for ingress
and egress that have often baf1ed the police
| On top OF this building, arranged in heaps just
| inside narrow and shallow wooden coping. was
found a miscellaneous assortment of BRICKS,
whole and broken, with few paving stones
the whole forming dangerous arsenal from
| the stano "oint of passer beow-and there
| was every indication that they were for the pur-
| pose OF attack. In addition, the chimneys On
this building, already loosened by time and tho
! elements, had been worked upon until every
| brick from top to bottom could be plucked off
with the hand, if wanted. 1t would be folly to
despicable alnbuscade. Not the slightest
| proof exists against any individual The
/ fetid rooms below swarm with human
beings. as granary with vermin, and as
never fastened, offer clear passage from the
| pavement to the roof. It's therefore, impossis
able to tell whether the intended assailants even
| lived in the building. All cars from South Boss
| ton come up Federal street, and turn into Knees
| land street at this point Turning the curve at
a walk, the possibilities of an attack of this
nature. if that was the object aimed at, are
simply horrible to contemplate shower of
| bricks from this height descending crowded
| horse car, under cloak of darkness, would have
| been murderous inEresuit with slight possiblli-
| ty OF tracing the mscreants. In addition to tho
opportunity for escape mentioned, an adjacent
| building easily accessible from the roof OF
| the structure. The South Boston road was at
once notified, and so the cars were taken of each
night in spite OF the public Inconvenience and
| consequent growls. In the meantime the col.
| lection of missiles was removed by the police,
| and every building in this section along the
| route traversed by the cars was carefully in.
| spected For several DAYS past the passerby
| has wondered at the abnormal display of police
force in this vicinity, but it was supposed to be
| the result of the strike.